Driver training and gasoline saving device

ABSTRACT

A device for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine including operating means connected for actuation by engine manifold vacuum, an alarm associated with the operating means to be operated thereby, and fluid valve means connected between the operating means and engine manifold for controlling fluid pressure communicated therebetween.

United States Patent 1 Maria et a1.

1 1 Sept. 30, 1975 1 1 DRIVER TRAINING AND GASOLINE SAVING DEVICE [76'] Inventors: Paul N. Maria, 1620 Ridge Rd.,

Perkasic, Pa. 18960; Albert C.

1221 Filed:

] Appl.No.: 466,679

Conard, 123 Ridge Rd, Sellersville.

May 3, 1974 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS U.S.Cl 340/52 R: 340/136: 340/262 Int. Cl. G08B 21/00 Field of Search 340/52 R. 52 D. 53, 60 340/136. 236. 238, 239 R. 240, 262 421; 180/103; 123/103, 106, 108

Garland 340/60 1666.197 1/1954 Polymeros 340/60 X 1692980 10/1954 Platt 340/60 X Primary E.\uminer-A1\-in H. Waring Anurney. Age"! or FirmRobert K. Youtie [57] ABSTRACT A device for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine including operating means connected for actuation by engine manifold vacuum, an alarm associated with the operating means to be operated thereby, and fluid valve means connected between the operating means and engine manifold for controlling fluid pressure communicated therebetween.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent S ept. 30,1975 3,909,778

W BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As is well known to those versed in the automotive arts, economical fuel consumption depends in large measure upon maintneance of relatively'hi gh m anifold vacuum for a maximum of driving conditions. That is, undue opening of the carburetor throttle plate communicates excessive atmospheric pressure to the manifold and effects poor gasoline utilization, Hence, good fuel economy in driving is achieved by driving habits which optimize the maintenance of relatively high vacuum in the manifold. v g

While prior art devices for achieving fuel economy have utilized vacuum gauges responsive tomanifold pressure, these gauges have not been entirely satisfactory, both a requiring visual access and nearly constant reading, so as toseriously impair the drivers necessary visual observation of the environment, .and failing'to inform the driver of inefficient operationin the absence of driver observation of the gauge. Further, prior manifold vacuum gauges have not all been readily accommodating to a wide variety of engines, including those having different numbers of cylinders, those of different age and condition, and those of differentemission control design, all of which may affect proper manifold vacuum.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an important object of th'e present invention to provide a driver training and fuel economy device which overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties, insures that the operator islnforr'ned at all times of inefficient operating conditions,su ch that the operator automatically learns to avoid inefficient operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automotive driver learning and gasoline saving device having the advantageouscharacteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraph, wherein asingle such device is uniquely adaptable to an extremely wide variety of internal combustion engines, including those of different numbers of cylinders, differentmodes of operationincluding two and ..four cycle, engines of widely varying tolerances asresulting from long use, and of different designs, for instance. olderengines without e'miission controls and newer engines with widely varying emission controls. i

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an automotivedeviceof the typedescribed which is extremely simple in construction and .operation, capable of being installed on existing equipment by persons of ordinary skill, and also adapted for incor-- poration as original equipment, which is inherently reliable and durable througout a long useful life and adaptedfor economic manufacture and sale at a reasonable price.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosurel The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

RIEF DESCRIPTION oF THE DRAWINGS FIG; 1 isa perspective view" illustrating an automotivTe engine having associated therewith a driver training and gasoline'economy device constructed'in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a di agrammatic representation of the device I of the instant invention apart from the engine, and illus- 'trating anjino'perative mode.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation similar to FIG. 2, but illustrating one condition of operation;

FIGI 4' is'a diagrammatic representation similarto; FIG. 3 but illustrating another condition of operation FIG. 5 is a'dia grammatic representation similarto FIGS. 3 and 4, but showing still another mannerof operation.

- DESCRIPTION OF THEYPREFERRED EMBODIMENT Refejrring'now more particularly to the drawings, and

specifically to FIG. l there'of, an automotive engine is in turn connected to the inlet manifold '13. Thus, in A conventional manner air may enter the carburetor,

there generally designated 10, and may be any type of engine utilizing carburetion, such as conventional gasoline automotive engines, and may also be employed in conjunction with two-cycle type engines.

The engine lO'may inCIude an air inlet 11 connected to the upper or, inlet end of a carburetor 12, which'is where it draws fuel for passage through the manifold 13 to the several cylinders, As is well known, the manifold interior operates under vacuum, as created by the pisj tons moving in the cylinders, which vacuum is transmitdesignated 15, and is illustrated in FIG. 1 as applied to ted to the carburetor for drawing a fuelinixture.

The apparatus of the present invention is generally the engine l0. ln particular, the apparatus 15 includes ,an, operating means 16 mounted, by any suitable fmeansjon the engine 10 andadapted tobe actuated or energized by hegative fluid pressure or vacuum. In particular, an expansile and contractile bellows may be employed, say being resiliently urged toward expanded condition and retracted, by internal vacuum. Or, suitable piston and cylinder means, as diagrammatically represented, in'FIG.,2, may constitute the operating means, as will appear more fully hereinafter.

An electric switchis generally designated 17, and associated with. the operating means l6v for actuation thereby, to close and open the contacts of the switch upon movement of the operating means 16 responsive to manifold vacuum. The operating means 16 is connected by fluid conduit means 18 to the manifold 13, for effecting the desired vacuum actuator operation. An alarm or signal 19 may be electrically connected to the switch 17 for energization of the signal upon acutation of the switch.

. The apparatus 15 of the present invention is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, wherein the operating means 16 is illustrated as including a cylinder 25 having internally thereof a piston 26carrying an outwardly projecting piston rod 24. By the fluid conduit means 18, the

cylinder 25 is connected in fluid communication with the interior of engine manifold 13. Interposed in the fluid conduit '18 is a'three-way valve 27 having a valve element 28 provided with a diametral or through passageway 29, and a radial or branch passageway 30. The

valve element 28 is rotatable to move the diametral or through passageway 29 into and out of alignment with the fluid conduit means 18, as for opening and closing communication therethrough. Of course, the valve element 28 is selectively positionable to afford fluid communication through valve conduit 18 but restricted to a desired degree.

Additionally, there is provided atmosphere communication means 31, say including an air inlet or funnel 32 and a conduit 33 connected between the air inlet and a side port of three-way valve 27. The branch passageway 30 of valve element 28 is movable into and out of alignment with conduit means 33 simultaneously upon its movement into and out of alignment with conduit means 18. Interposed in fluid conduit 33 is an additional valve 34, of suitably adjustable opening, for a purpose appearing presently.

The switch means 17 may be a microswitch or other suitable electrical switch means, being connected in series with the alarm 19, which may be a buzzer or other suitable alarm. If desired, the alarm 19 may be the existing alarm buzzer in many automotive vehicles. By electrical circuit means 35, the switch 17 and alarm 19 are connected in series across a power source 36, which may be an automotive vehicle battery. Hence, upon upward movement of operator rod 24, as under the influence of spring 37, the switch 17 will be closed and the alarm 19 energized.

In normal operation of the engine 10, say within permissible range of fuel economy, the operating means 16 is in fluid communication with manifold vacuum, so that piston 26 is drawn downwardly or inwardly against the force of spring 37, the arm 24 being drawn away from switch 17 to leave the latter open and the alarm 19 de-energized. However, upon reduction in manifold vacuum, which is communicated to the operating means 16 by increased pressure, the pistcn 26 moves upwardly or outwardly and the arm 24 engages the switch 17 to close the latter and energize alarm 19. Immediately thereupon, the operator will automatically respond to close the throttle valve, as by reduced pressure on the throttle pedal and return to the acceptable economy range.

Prior to initial use, the valve 27 is adjusted to a desired position communicating more or less fully through conduit 18, with the valve 34 in an unadjusted position, which may be fully open, fully closed, or otherwise. The three-way valve 27 is adjusted so that the operating means 16 is sensitive to the operators movements to actuate the switch 17 and energize alarm 19 with a desired degree of sensitivity. This may be considered as rough or coarse adjustment.

The additional valve 34 may then be adjusted, in the manner of a fine adjustment, to afford a further degree of desired sensitivity to operation of the alarm.

By means of the three-way valve 27, and the additional valve 34, any desired alarm sensitivity may be achieved with an extremely wide range of types and designs or engines, and also an extremely wide range of engine conditions, say from brand new to those of extremely poor tolerance.

In FIG. 3 is shown an intermediate position of threeway valve 27, wherein a selected degree of fluid restriction is imposed between operating means 16 and manifold 13.

In FIG. 4 the three-way valve 27 is illustrated in a completely open position, with minimum or no restriction in fluid conduit means 18, and also minimum or no restriction to additional fluid conduit 33.

If desired, the valve 27 may be employed as illustrated in FIG. 5, there being minimum or no restriction in fluid conduit means 18, and the additional fluid conduit 33 being completely closed.

Of course, the mode of operation shown in FIG. 2 is that wherein valve 27 is entirely closed, so that the device 15 is inoperative.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention. I

What is claimed is:

1. In an internal combustion engine including an inlet manifold connected in fluid communication between a carburetor and combustion chamber, the improvement comprising: vacuum actuable operating means, fluid conduit means having one end connected to said operating means and having its other end adapted for fluid communication with the manifold to actuate said operating means responsive to reduced manifold vacuum, audible alarm means operatively connected to said operating means to be operated by the latter responsive to undesired vacuum loss in the manifold, and valve means interposed in said fluid conduit means for selectively effecting said fluid communication, whereby an operator is signaled by said alarm to minimize or eliminate undersired carburetor control.

2. The improvement according to claim 1, in combination with atmosphere communication means connected to said fluid conduit means independently of the carburetor for reducing the vacuum to said operating means, and an adjustable valve connected in said atmosphere communication means for selective adjustment of said alarm operating means corresponding to the engine parameters.

3. The improvement according to claim 1, said valve means being operative to vary the effective restriction in said fluid conduit means for varying the response time of said operating means.

4. The improvement according to claim 1, said valve means comprising a three-way valve independent of the carburetor for communication of said fluid conduit means with the atmosphere for reducing the vacuum to said operating means.

5. The improvement according to claim 4, in combination with an additional adjustable valve for connection between said three-way valve and the atmosphere to regulate vacuum reduction to said operating means corresponding to the engine parameters.

6. The improvement according to claim 5, said operating means comprising normally distended chamber means resiliently collapsible under internal vacuum, said fluid conduit means being connected to the interior of said chamber means.

7. The improvement according to claim 6, in combination with an actuator on said chamber means for movement therewith, and an electrical switch located for operation by said actuator to be closed by distension of said chamber means, said switch being connected in circuit with said alarm. 

1. In an internal combustion engine including an inlet manifold connected in fluid communication between a carburetor and combustion chamber, the improvement comprising: vacuum actuable operating means, fluid conduit means having one end connected to said operating means and having its other end adapted for fluid communication with the manifold to actuate said operating means responsive to reduced manifold vacuum, audible alarm means operatively connected to said operating means to be operated by the latter responsive to undesired vacuum loss in the manifold, and valve means interposed in said fluid conduit means for selectively effecTing said fluid communication, whereby an operator is signaled by said alarm to minimize or eliminate undersired carburetor control.
 2. The improvement according to claim 1, in combination with atmosphere communication means connected to said fluid conduit means independently of the carburetor for reducing the vacuum to said operating means, and an adjustable valve connected in said atmosphere communication means for selective adjustment of said alarm operating means corresponding to the engine parameters.
 3. The improvement according to claim 1, said valve means being operative to vary the effective restriction in said fluid conduit means for varying the response time of said operating means.
 4. The improvement according to claim 1, said valve means comprising a three-way valve independent of the carburetor for communication of said fluid conduit means with the atmosphere for reducing the vacuum to said operating means.
 5. The improvement according to claim 4, in combination with an additional adjustable valve for connection between said three-way valve and the atmosphere to regulate vacuum reduction to said operating means corresponding to the engine parameters.
 6. The improvement according to claim 5, said operating means comprising normally distended chamber means resiliently collapsible under internal vacuum, said fluid conduit means being connected to the interior of said chamber means.
 7. The improvement according to claim 6, in combination with an actuator on said chamber means for movement therewith, and an electrical switch located for operation by said actuator to be closed by distension of said chamber means, said switch being connected in circuit with said alarm. 